Gangai Amaran

Gangai Amaran is an Indian music composer,[1] singer,[2] lyricist,[3] writer, film director[4] and actor in Tamil films.

Gangai Amaran
Born (1947-12-08) 8 December 1947 (age 76)
Pannaipuram, Theni, Tamil Nadu
Occupation(s)Actor, Director, Screenwriter, Film score composer, lyricist, music director, songwriter, singer, conductor, instrumentalist, Voice Actor
Instrument(s)Vocals, (playback singing), guitar
Years active1976–present

Personal life

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Gangai Amaran was born in Pannaipuram in Theni district, Tamil Nadu in December 1947, as the youngest son of Ramaswamy and Chinnathayi. He is the younger brother of noted music director Ilaiyaraaja and father of director and actor Venkat Prabhu and actor, composer and singer Premji Amaren.[5][6] He had two more elder brothers, R. D. Bhaskar and Pavalar Varadharajan, both who died long back. Composers Karthik Raja, Yuvan Shankar Raja, singer Bhavatharini and costume designer Vasuki Bhaskar are his relations.[7]

Regarding his name, Gangai was taken from a magazine of the same name which he read during his childhood, while Amaran is derived from a pseudonym Amar Singh, which he wanted to adopt for himself when he aimed to be a lyricist. He has had his personal differences with his elder brother Ilayaraja where he mentioned about many controversial issues with him in his career.[8]

Career

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Films

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Amaran revealed that his debut film as a composer for Malargalile Oru Malligai starring Malaysia Vasudevan remained unreleased despite the soundtrack being released. Hence, Oru Vidukathai Oru Thodarkathai became his first film as composer to be released.[9] Along with his brother Ilaiyaraja, Gangai Amaran started his career as a composer and composed for many successful films such as Mouna Geethangal and Vazhvey Maayam (1983). Apart from composing, Amaran made his directorial debut with Kozhi Koovuthu (1982) and went on to direct many films including the highly successful Karagattakaran (1989). Themmangu Paattukaran was his last film as a director while Poonjolai which would have been the acting debut of his son Venkat Prabhu remains unreleased.[10] Now he is working with Clusters media college.[11]

Politics

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Gangai Amaran also took a plunge in politics by joining BJP and also contested in RK Nagar constituency.[12][13] Apart from that, he also served as a member of Central Board of Film Certification.[10]

Filmography

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Writer/Director

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YearFilmMusic DirectorNotes
1982Kozhi KoovuthuIlayarajaDirectorial Debut
1983KokkarokkoIllayaraja
1984Pozhuthu VidinchachuIlayaraja
1984Devi SrideviIlayaraja
1984Vellai Pura OndruIlayaraja
1987Enga Ooru PattukaranIlayaraja
1988Sakkarai PanthalIlayaraja
1988Shenbagamae ShenbagamaeIlayaraja
1988Koil Mani OsaiGangai Amaran
1989KarakattakkaranIlayaraja
1989Annanukku JaiIlayaraja
1990Ooru Vittu Ooru VanthuIlayaraja
1991Kumbakarai ThangaiahIlayaraja
1992Villu PattukaranIlayaraja
1992ChinnavarIlayaraja
1992Ponnuketha PurushanIlayaraja
1993Koyil KaalaiIlayaraja
1994Atha Maga RathinameGangai Amaran
1997Themmangu PaattukaaranIlayaraja

Music Director

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YearFilmNotes
1979Karai Kadantha Kurathi
1979Kuzhanthaiyai Thedi
1979Oru Vidukadhai Oru Thodarkadhai
1979Suvarillatha Chithirangal
1980Ramaye Vayasukku Vanthutta
1980Enga Ooru Rasathi
1980Tharayil Pootha Malar
1981Mouna Geethangal
1981SankarlalWith Ilayaraja
1982Kanavugal Karpanaigal
1982Vazhvey MaayamDubbed Malayalam as Premaabhishekam
1983En Priyame
1983Imaigal
1983Hello Madras GirlMalayalam Film
1983JeevithamMalayalam Film
1983Neethibathi
1983SattamDubbed Malayalam as Sneha bandham
1983Justice RajaMalayalam film
1984Irumbu Kaigai
1984Kudumbam
1984Nalellam Pournami
1984Nichayam
1984Nyayam Ketkiraen
1984Ungal Veetu Pillai
1984AlakadalinakkareMalayalam film
1985Mannukketha Ponnu
1985Aagaya Thamaraigal25th film
1985Hello Yaar Pesurathuwith Illayaraja
1985Puthiya Sagaptham
1985Naan Ungal Rasigan
1986Kanna Thorakkanum Saamiwith Illayaraja
1986Namma Ooru Nalla Ooru
1987Chellakutti
1987Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi
1987Ettikki Potti
1987Ondru Engal Jaathiye
1987Oorkuruvi
1987Ithu Oru Thodarkathaiwrote all lyrics for this film
1987MizhiyorangalilMalayalam Film
1988AnuragiMalayalam Film
1988Jeeva
1988En Thangachi Padichava
1988Kabali
1988Koil Mani Osai
1988Raththa Dhanam
1988Thappu Kanakku
1989Pillaikkaga
1989RudraKannada film; Dubbed in Tamil as Kushboo Kushboothan
1989SwarakalpanaTelugu Film, Director: Vamsi
1990Pachai Kodi
1991Pondatti Pondattithan50th film
1991Adhikari
1991Rudhra
1993Aadhityan
1994Atha Maga Rathiname
2009Ragavan
2010Pugaippadam

Singer

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YearFilmSongsComposerNotes
1985Neethaana Andha Kuyil"Poojaiketha Poovidhu"Ilayaraja
1988Pillaikkaga"Mazhalaiyin"Himself
1990Nila Pennae"Kichang Kichang"Vidyasagar
1992Solaiyamma"Rasa Ilayarasa",
"Manja Thanni"
Deva
1993Aadhityan"Uchimalai"Himself
2006Thimiru"Goppurane"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2009Ragavan"Vaazhvai"Himself
2013Arya Surya"Mama", "Kala Kala", "Asaaru Usaaru"Srikanth Deva
2017Andava Kaanom"Oh Annan Maare"Ashwamitra

Lyricist (partial filmography)

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YearFilmSongsComposerNotes
197716 VayathinileSendhoora Poove / Cholam Vethakkaiyile [14]Ilayaraja
1978Kizhakke Pogum Rail"Poovarasam Poothachu"Ilayaraja
1978Mullum Malarum2 Songs: "Nitham Nitham Nellu soru/ Raamane Aandaalum"Ilayaraja
1978Aval Appadithan2 Songs:Uravygal Thodarkatha / Panneer PushpangaleIlayaraja
1979Agal Vilakku2 Songs: "Etho Ninaivukal/ Ellorum Porandhome"Ilayaraja
1979Puthiya Vaarpugal"Thamthananam Thana Thaalam"Ilayaraja
1979Rosappu Ravikkaikari3 Songs: "Vethala / Rosappu Ravikkaikari / Yennullil Yengo"Ilayaraja
1979Uthiripookkal"Yae Intha Poongathu"Ilayaraja
1980Aayiram Vaasal Idhayam"Hey En Aasa"Ilayaraja
1980Nizhalgal"Poongathavae thaal thiravai"Ilayaraja
1980Ellam Un Kairasi"Cherikku Sevai seiyum"Ilayaraja
1980Gramathu AthiyayamAll songs: Aatthu Mettuley/ Vaadaatha Rosapoo/ Ootha Kaathu/ Poovae IthuIlayaraja
1980GuruMaamanukku ParamakudiIlayaraja
1980Moodu Pani3 Songs:Yen Iniya/ Paruva Kaalangalin/ Aasai RajaIlayaraja
1980Johnny4 Songs:Kaatril Enthan/ Aasaiya Kaathula/ Sinorita/ Oru Iniya manathuIlayaraja
1980Kallukkul Eeram4 Songs:Siruponmani/ Ennathil/ Kothamalli/ Enthan kairasiIlayaraja
1980Nenjathai Killathe3 Songs:Hey Thendralae/ Uravenum/ Mummy PeruIlayaraja
1981Raja PaarvaiVizhi Oraththu KanavumIlayaraja
1981SankarlalThedinen Puthiya sugamIlayaraja
1981Enakkaga Kaathiru3 Songs:Oh Nenjame/ Ooty Malai / Pani MazhaiIlayaraja
1981Indru Poi Naalai Vaa2 Songs:Mathana Mohana/ Mere PyariIlayaraja
1981Kadal MeengalMadhani MadhaniIlayaraja
1981Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo2 Songs:Yerupudichavare/ KalyanramanIlayaraja
1981Panneer PushpangalAll Songs:Kodaikaala Kaatre/ Aanandha Raagam / Poonthalir Aada/ Vengaya SambarumIlayaraja
1981Alaigal Oivathillai2 Songs:Putham Pudhu Kaalai/ Vaadi En Kappa KelangeIlayaraja
1986Amman Kovil KizhakaleAll songsIlayaraja
1986Maaveeran3 Songs: Hey Maina/ Sokku Podi / Nee KoduththathaIlayaraja
1989KaragattakaranAll songsIlayaraja
1990"Keladi kanamani"Enna paduvathu, Mannil inthaIllayaraja
1992ChinnavarAll songsIlayaraja
1992Villu PaattukaaranAll songsIlayaraja
2004Udhaya"Thiruvellikeni Rani"A R Rahman
2007Chennai 600028"Jalsa", "Saroja Saaman"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2008Saroja"Aaja Meri", "Kodaana Kodi", "Nimirnthu Nil"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2010Goa"Ezhezhu", "Idhu Varai", "Vaaliba Vaa"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2011Mankatha"Vilaiyaadu Mankatha", "Ballelakka"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2013Biriyani"Biriyani", "Edhirthu Nil"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2015Massu Engira Masilamani"Poochandi"Yuvan Shankar Raja
2024The Greatest of All Time"Untitled Song"Yuvan Shankar Raja

Dubbing artist

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Onscreen appearances

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References

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  1. ^ "Music Director Gangai Amaran Song Database". 600024.com Tamil Movie Database. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  2. ^ "Singer Gangai Amaran Song Database". 600024.com Tamil Movie Database. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Lyricist Gangai Amaran Song Database". 600024.com Tamil Movie Database. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  4. ^ "Director Gangai Amaran Song Database". 600024.com Tamil Movie Database. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
  5. ^ "Not truly Gangai Amaran". The Hindu. 19 May 2009. Archived from the original on 24 May 2009. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  6. ^ "Gangai Amaran enthrals Vellore". The Hindu. 27 February 2006. Archived from the original on 24 May 2006. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  7. ^ "Illayaraja: Gangai Amaran get together again". Behindwoods. 12 March 2005. Archived from the original on 24 July 2012. Retrieved 11 March 2012.
  8. ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (29 August 2013). "Lights, camera, more action". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  9. ^ ராம்ஜி, வி. (20 September 2020). "'நாயகன் அவனொரு புறம், அவன் மனைவி விழியில் அழகு'; 'விடுகதை ஒன்று தொடர்கதை ஒன்று'; கங்கை அமரன் இசையமைப்பாளராகி 41 ஆண்டுகள்!". Hindu Tamil Thisai. Retrieved 16 March 2023.
  10. ^ a b Saravanan, T. (5 November 2015). "Music for the masses". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  11. ^ https://www.facebook.com/clustersmediazone/videos/292896508213436/ [user-generated source]
  12. ^ Kolappan, B. (21 December 2014). "Gangai Amaran joins BJP". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  13. ^ Edmond, Deepu Sebastian (3 April 2017). "Gangai Amaran strikes a chord with R.K. Nagar voters". The Hindu – via www.thehindu.com.
  14. ^ "Tamil Cinema News | Kollywood News | Tamil Film News - Maalaimalar". Archived from the original on 24 May 2015.
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